Halpern et al. show support for a "strongly neglected" hypothesis that migratory water birds are possible disseminators of V. cholerae within and between continents. The ecology of Vibrio cholerae, the etiological agent of cholera, remains an enigma after many research efforts.
Almeida et al. identify Candida albicans as the first microorganism able to use ferritin as its sole source of iron during interaction with host cells. In addition, the researchers find that C. albicans uses an additional, morphology-specific and unique iron uptake strategy based on ferritin while invading into host cells where ferritin is located.
Ganesan et al. demonstrate that RNA levels for intermediary metabolism in malaria parasites are largely predetermined. This finding may create pharmacological opportunities, when important target pathways are rigid in the parasite but dynamically regulated in host cells.
Wilson et al. identify the first component of a pathway that allows Bacillus anthracis to recognize the blood of the host (in which to thrive during an infection). This may provide a new target for antibacterial intervention applicable to many bacterial pathogens.
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